7 Days Wildlife and Cultural Budget Experience

Day 1: Arrival JRO/transfer to Arusha

On arrival you will be met by our Gusa Africa Naturalist guide and transfer to arusha which takes approximately one hour.

Depending on your time of arrival in Tanzania, you can decide if you would like to receive a short briefing with your guide on the same day or the next morning. The rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure. Enjoy the hotel, relax and get ready for your Tanzanian adventure!

Day 2: Tarangire National Park

Today you depart after breakfast to Tarangire National Park for a full day game drive it is approximately two and a half hours from Arusha. This park has a worldwide reputation for surprising large herds of elephants and medieval baobab trees. It draws its name from Tarang ire River, the only permanent source of water in the park that spans approximately 2,850 square kilometers. Among many, Tarangire National Park is home to numerous species of animals, birds and flora. You might come across a herd of buffalos, antelopes, warthogs, elephants, giraffes and if lucky will encounter carnivores like jackals, lions and leopards

 You will have lunch in the parks’ designated area then you proceed with game drive. During the evening you with enjoy beautiful sunset view as you drive to the lodge for dinner and overnight

Day 3: Mto wa Mbu cultural activities / Manyara National Park

After breakfast at around 8:00am you will head to Mto wa mbu, a small vibrant village with variety of cultural as its home to people from different tribe. You will take a stroll through the banana and rice plantation, meet the local and see how these people go about their daily lives. You will have lunch in Mto wa Mbu a good opportunity to taste Tanzanian local dishes.

After lunch you will drive to Manyara National Park. The park is well known for its tree-climbing lions and large flocks of flamingoes along the lake. You will see the Great Rift Valley escarpment, flowering plants, an evergreen forest and the shallow alkaline Lake Manyara that makes the park spectacular with many photographing opportunities as the park is blessed with abundant flora and fauna. A mesmerizing variety of wildlife can be found around the huge soda lake, including buffalos, warthogs, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras and plenty of pink flamingos. The shallow Hippo Pool is always a highlight and offers excellent opportunities for hippo sightings as well as spectacular views of the Rift Valley Escarpment.

You will end the day listening to amazing bird sounds from trees and gardens of the amazing Marera Valley Lodge where you will spend your night.

Day 5:  Serengeti National Park

Today is fully dedicated to Serengeti National Park, perhaps the world’s most enchanting and breathtaking park on the planet. There may be few destinations that should top everyone’s bucket list to visit over a lifetime, however, Serengeti tops most of the adventure lovers. You have an opportunity to go an optional balloon ride that ends with a champagne breakfast in the midst of the bush.

After breakfast, at 7:00 am, depart the lodge for full day game drive. Your guide will take you through different parts of Serengeti in search for the best wildlife viewing spots.

At around 11:30 you will head back to the camp for lunch a rest a bit before you head out again for an afternoon game drive. You will continue searching for various animals to explore from the Big Five to giraffe, antelopes, hyena, cheetah and many more. You will enjoy sunset while driving back to camp in good time to shower and have a relaxed time around campfire before dinner

Day 6: Ngorongoro Crater

Early morning you drive to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The road leads you over the Great Rift Valley, through the crater forest, to the striking Ngorongoro Crater. Home to over 120 species of mammals including the big five, it is one of the most sought-after destinations in the world, as it’s an amazing place to see the black rhinoceros having meals out on the grass plains. Other animals hide in the dense jungle on high crater walls, while others play in the fascinating setting of the crater floor. Be in awe of the grasslands that are crisscrossed by rivers, lakes, forests, and mountains.

 The crater is known as the multiple land use property as animals and the Maasai people have managed to coexist together in harmony therefore don’t be surprised to see cattle amongst buffalo herds, after the thrills and excitement of the day you will have lunch by the park and continue you drive around the crater.

After an adventurous day you ascend the crater and head the lodge in Karatu. You will get to lodge check-in and have the rest of your evening resting.

Day 7: Drive Back to Arusha

Every good thing has to end! You are about to end your natural wildlife and cultural experience. However, one last adventure and that is to drive back to Arusha. This is your opportunity to find something special as you drive to Arusha after a relaxing breakfast.

Once you get to Arusha you will have lunch and rest a bit as you wait to transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.